Summary

Cells of FL strain and primary human amnion cultures have been exposed to high hydrostatic pressure, and their ultrastructure has been observed following pressure release. Pressure treatment reveals a high degree of intercellular adhesiveness in primary amnion characterized by the formation of intercellular “bridges.” Electron micrographs of these cells reveal well defined desmosomes associated with the bridge formation. FL cells show little, if any, intercellular adhesiveness but respond to pressure release by a vigorous surface bleb formation not apparent in primary amnion. The ultrastructure of these blebs reveals a pronounced involvement of ergastoplasm and reinforces the concept that they are pseudopodial in character.

Footnotes

↵* Supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service grants (CY-2664) from the National Cancer Institute and (H-3493) from the National Heart Institute.